St. Marys River State Park
Southern Maryland’s Peaceful Retreat on a 250-Acre Lake — State Park With 250-Acre Lake for Fishing and Non-Motorized Boating, 2,200-Acre Wildlands Area for Hunting and Remote Hiking, Kayaking and Canoeing on the Quiet Lake With No Gas-Powered Motors Allowed, Fishing for Largemouth Bass Bluegill and Channel Catfish, Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails Through Coastal Plain Forest, Picnic Areas and Playgrounds Near the Lake Shore, Near Leonardtown St. Mary’s County Southern Maryland
St. Mary’s River State Park is a state park in St. Mary’s County, southern Maryland, managed by Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The park is divided into two distinct areas, featuring a 250-acre lake (St. Mary’s Lake) popular for freshwater fishing and non-motorized boating — no gas-powered motors allowed, kayaking and canoeing on the quiet lake surrounded by coastal plain forest, fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish, a 2,200-acre wildlands area that is largely undeveloped and serves as managed hunting and wildlands habitat, hiking and mountain biking trails through mixed hardwood and pine forest, picnic areas with shelters and playgrounds near the lake shore, bird watching and wildlife observation in the wildlands section, and a peaceful retreat in the historic St. Mary’s County region — site of Maryland’s first colonial capital.
The electric-only boating rule keeps St. Mary’s Lake remarkably serene — no engine noise, no wake, no exhaust. On weekday mornings, you might have the entire 250-acre lake to yourself, paddling through reflections of surrounding forest.
The 2,200-acre wildlands is a hidden gem — while most visitors gravitate to the lake area, the vast undeveloped section offers solitude rarely found this close to the Washington DC metropolitan area. During hunting season, the area provides some of southern Maryland’s best managed hunting.
Things to Do
- Fishing — bass, bluegill, catfish
- Paddling — canoe/kayak, no motors
- Wildlands — 2,200 acres
- Hiking/biking — forest trails
- Hunting — managed wildlands
- Picnicking — lakeside shelters
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County, MD |
| Lake | 250 acres — electric/paddle only |
| Wildlands | 2,200 acres undeveloped |
| Fishing | Bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish |
| Camping | ❌ Not available |
| Managed By | Maryland DNR |
| Coordinates | 38.2833° N, 76.6167° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use motorboats on St. Mary’s Lake Maryland?
No — St. Mary’s River State Park in St. Mary’s County, Maryland only allows non-motorized and electric-powered boats on the 250-acre lake. The park also features a 2,200-acre wildlands section for hunting and remote hiking, fishing for largemouth bass and catfish, and hiking/mountain biking trails. Near Leonardtown in historic southern Maryland. Managed by Maryland DNR.
The park sits in one of the most historically significant counties in America. St. Mary’s County was the site of Maryland’s founding in 1634, when English colonists established St. Mary’s City as the colonial capital. The park’s forests and waterways look much as they did when those first settlers arrived nearly 400 years ago, making a visit here a journey through both natural beauty and deep American history.
Last updated: May 2026
